Device system and method for coupling multiple photovoltaic arrays

Abstract

A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first and second rails of a first photovoltaic array; a power converter coupled to a first rail of a second photovoltaic array and a second rail of a third photovoltaic array; and an interface portion coupled to (i) the first and second inputs, (ii) a second rail of the second photovoltaic array, and (iii) a first rail of the third photovoltaic array, the interface portion configures to isolate the first photovoltaic array from the second and third photovoltaic arrays and to modulate and application of voltage from the photovoltaic array to the second and third photovoltaic arrays so as to adjust a voltage applied from the three photovoltaic arrays to the power converter.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for converting solar energy to electrical energy, and more specifically to apparatus and methods for more efficient and / or effective conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The transformation of light energy into electrical energy using photovoltaic (PV) systems has been known for a long time and these photovoltaic systems are increasingly being implemented in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Although developments and improvements have been made to these photovoltaic systems over the last few years to improve their effectiveness and efficiency, continued improvement in effectiveness and efficiency of photovoltaic systems is being sought in order to may photovoltaic systems more economically viable.[0003]Photovoltaic systems typically include, among other components, a photovoltaic array and a power converter. The photovoltaic array gener...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a method for interfacing a collection of photovoltaic arrays with a power converter such as, but not limited to, an inverter. The invention in this embodiment includes electrically isolating at least one photovoltaic array from the other photovoltaic arrays in the collection, applying an initial voltage from the collection of photovoltaic arrays to the power converter, modulating a load placed on the at least one photovoltaic array so as to reduce a voltage that is output by the at least one photovoltaic array, electrically coupling the at least one photovoltaic array with the other photovoltaic arrays, and applying power at a collective voltage from the collection of photovoltaic arrays to the power converter.

Problems solved by technology

Although photovoltaic array systems are capable of applying high open loaded voltages, array systems rarely run at or near this voltage because the loaded voltage of the array drops substantially once power is drawn from the arrays.

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